Echoes from Cañon
Our Board Adopted Core Beliefs
1. We meet the social-emotional needs of all students, putting Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs before Bloom’s Taxonomy.
2. We believe learning growth matters most, requires risk-taking, and the work we do in our schools has the greatest impact on this.
3. We’re future-focused, believing the development of certain traits and skills will best prepare our students for ever-changing careers.
4. We emphasize what is good for kids over the needs and comfort of adults.
1. We meet the social-emotional needs of all students, putting Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs before Bloom’s Taxonomy.
2. We believe learning growth matters most, requires risk-taking, and the work we do in our schools has the greatest impact on this.
3. We’re future-focused, believing the development of certain traits and skills will best prepare our students for ever-changing careers.
4. We emphasize what is good for kids over the needs and comfort of adults.
Our Core Beliefs in Action
Katie Brock and Skyler Ehler prepare to present to Harrison students about hearing disabilities.
I want to highlight the wonderful work Dominic Carochi is doing at our at Choice Points alternative to expulsion program. Choice Points provides academic support and mental health counseling to students who are struggling behaviorally. I had several expulsion and follow-up expulsion meetings this with students who have been attending this program. In each instance, both students and adults could do nothing but rave about the academic and social-emotional support Mr. Caroichi is offering. Thanks for exemplifying our first core belief, we meet the social-emotional needs of all students, putting Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs before Bloom’s Taxonomy.
I also want to thank Harrison 6th grade student Skyler Ehler who took the risk to present to his classmates about his hearing loss and how he manages his world. Skyler is a wonderful young man who does extremely well in school. His message to students and staff was quite informative, that they can overcome any barrier they may encounter. His message included how he advocates for his personal needs, which is a goal we have for all students. Thank you, Skyler, and thank you, Katie Brock, for supporting him on this project!
Finally, I want to highlight the fabulous job Harrison Gifted and Talented Education Teacher Trisha Konty did hosting the first annual Shark Tank for middle school GATE students. Her students began this project by assuming the role of an entrepreneur tasked with devising a proprietary, practical invention that can be a product or service. Students spent a month developing a business plan for their invention, along the way learning important business concepts. All skills displayed align with our state and gifted education standards, particularly critical thinking and problem-solving. In the end, students pitched their ideas to four local entrepreneurs: Ian Sturgeon, Brian Konty, Tony Fontecchio, and Lori Shepard. These sharks asked tough questions causing the students to think deeply about their projects. In the end, a team three won the grand prize of $60, donated right out of Trisha's own pocket. Maddison Taylor, Katelyn Smith, and Helen Bosmenier-Lopez were declared the winners for their product, Doggy Door Go.
I also want to thank Harrison 6th grade student Skyler Ehler who took the risk to present to his classmates about his hearing loss and how he manages his world. Skyler is a wonderful young man who does extremely well in school. His message to students and staff was quite informative, that they can overcome any barrier they may encounter. His message included how he advocates for his personal needs, which is a goal we have for all students. Thank you, Skyler, and thank you, Katie Brock, for supporting him on this project!
Finally, I want to highlight the fabulous job Harrison Gifted and Talented Education Teacher Trisha Konty did hosting the first annual Shark Tank for middle school GATE students. Her students began this project by assuming the role of an entrepreneur tasked with devising a proprietary, practical invention that can be a product or service. Students spent a month developing a business plan for their invention, along the way learning important business concepts. All skills displayed align with our state and gifted education standards, particularly critical thinking and problem-solving. In the end, students pitched their ideas to four local entrepreneurs: Ian Sturgeon, Brian Konty, Tony Fontecchio, and Lori Shepard. These sharks asked tough questions causing the students to think deeply about their projects. In the end, a team three won the grand prize of $60, donated right out of Trisha's own pocket. Maddison Taylor, Katelyn Smith, and Helen Bosmenier-Lopez were declared the winners for their product, Doggy Door Go.
Our Future Focus
Maddison Taylor, Katelyn Smith, and Helen Bosmenier-Lopez won the GATE Shark Tank contest.
Thanks are due Literacy Coach Lacey Ledoux, who has been doing supporting our reading teachers. Last Monday I received an email from McKinley teacher Donna Biemiller who said, "I very much appreciates Lacey's approach and organization today. She gave us the opportunity to laugh at our subject, which helped everyone just relax and think about what was being presented. It was also clear that she had a specific goal with the material and she kept it in sight. Lacey tried to address any issues she had knowledge of as well. All materials were accessible and down to earth. She didn't come across as someone who has all the answers but gave us time to learn from other educators besides herself. Her pacing was helpful. I sincerely appreciate participating in PD that obviously had thought put into it. It astounds me that she has been out of the classroom several years now but has NOT forgotten what it is like to be a classroom teacher. She is truly exceptional." Lacey, I know it can be a risk to present to your colleagues. Thank you for taking this risk and helping our staff to grow!
Assistant Superintendent of Schools Adam Hartman and I met Thursday morning to start putting together a building evaluation schedule. Each year we take a look at each of our schools from an outsider's perspective in an effort to measure if each is living up to their school culture, instructional, and program commitment. As of now, we have targeted the dates of February 20th, February 21st, February 25th, March 4th, March 6th, March 11th, and March 27th to conduct these site visits.
Assistant Superintendent of Schools Adam Hartman and I met Thursday morning to start putting together a building evaluation schedule. Each year we take a look at each of our schools from an outsider's perspective in an effort to measure if each is living up to their school culture, instructional, and program commitment. As of now, we have targeted the dates of February 20th, February 21st, February 25th, March 4th, March 6th, March 11th, and March 27th to conduct these site visits.
Last Week
New teachers met with their mentors last week to receive support in advance of the second semester.
Last Monday our staff was deeply involved in professional development activities all day. I directed much of my focus on end of semester expulsion related matters. On Tuesday through Thursday, I had a law enforcement touching base session, a Superintendent Advisory Council meeting, a District Leadership Team meeting, a Central Administrative Office staff meeting, a Home-Bi-Ed Board meeting, and a Department of Human Services leadership touching base meeting. On Thursday I also worked on scheduling mid-year building evaluation visits. On Friday I attended a regional superintendent meeting and caught up on district-related correspondence.
This Week
Special education staff made good use of Monday's professional development time.
This week I'll spend much of Monday submitting annual UIP updates to the CDE system. We also have a work session and board meeting on Monday. On Tuesday I'll travel to Mapleton to attend a gathering of superintendents continuing work on a more equitable education finance formula. On Wednesday we have a delayed start during which teachers will engage in professional development. During this time I'll be on an Opportunity Coalition legislative advocacy phone call. On Thursday I meet with Director of Student Support Services Paula Buser and Director of Finance Buddy Lambrecht about our Nutrition Services program budget. We'll also hold another District Technology Visioning Committee meeting that afternoon. My schedule for next Friday is pretty light right now.
Other Voices
On Thursday January 17 at 11:30 AM the Royal Gorge Republican Women organization will be hosting an opioid, meth, and heroin addiction question and answer session with Cañon City Police Chief Daric Harvey, Fremont County Under Sheriff Derek Ervine, RE-2 School District Safety and Truancy Director Jason Cellan, District Attorney Mollie Chilsom, Fremont County Commissioner Dwayne McFall, and Cañon City Mayor Pro-Tem Ashley Smith.
This will take place at the Veterans of Foreign War facility at 215 North Cottonwood Avenue.
As part f the event, a one-time addict Brad Hearon will be our guest speaker. As a young man, Brad Hearon became addicted to Methamphetamine until when “cooking” his fix an explosion left him covered in severe burns leaving him with only a 1% chance to live. After many surgeries and a long recovery, Mr. Hearon rebuilt his life. Today, he is a motivational speaker, founder of H.E.L.P. Inc, and resides in Westcliff, CO.
This event is welcome to all who wish to attend.
Thanks for listening once again.
George S. Welsh
This will take place at the Veterans of Foreign War facility at 215 North Cottonwood Avenue.
As part f the event, a one-time addict Brad Hearon will be our guest speaker. As a young man, Brad Hearon became addicted to Methamphetamine until when “cooking” his fix an explosion left him covered in severe burns leaving him with only a 1% chance to live. After many surgeries and a long recovery, Mr. Hearon rebuilt his life. Today, he is a motivational speaker, founder of H.E.L.P. Inc, and resides in Westcliff, CO.
This event is welcome to all who wish to attend.
Thanks for listening once again.
George S. Welsh
